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Objectives
In the genre of the short story the pre-eminence of Irish writers has long been acknowledged. Combining elements of oral tradition, Continental realism, and the Irish "way of seeking," the Irish short story has evolved into a distinctive national art.
In this course we will study the evolution of the Irish short story from the time of George Moore (1852-1933) to the present. We will also study the short story as an art form, focusing on the elements of plot, character, diction, tone, and symbol.
Required Texts
The Oxford Book of Irish Short Stories. Edited by William Trevor. Oxford Univerity Press, 1989.
Dubliners, by James Joyce. Edited by Robert Scholes and A. Walton Litz. Viking, 1969.
The Vintage Book of Contemporary Irish Fiction. Edited by Dermot Bolger. Vintage, 1995.
The Collected Stories, by John McGahern. Knopf, 1994.
Departures, by Jennifer Cornell. University of Pittsburg Press, 1995.
Required Work
Five essays
Midterm and final examinations
Regular attendance and active participation in discussions
Essays
In the essays (500-1000 words each), you will be expected to discuss general themes, such as identity and exile, and to analyze elements of form, such as tone and symbol. A choice of topics will be provided.
All essays must meet minimal standards for grammar, usage, spelling, and typography. Unacceptable work will be returned, with loss of credit, for revision.
Examinations
The midterm exam will be given on Tuesday, March 2 (3:20-5:10). It will consist of identifications (author, title, context, and significance) and a critical essay.
The final exam will be given on Friday, May 7, 1:15-3:15. Focusing on readings from the second half of the semester, it will consist of identifications and an essay on the evolution of the Irish short story.
Evaluation
Essays: 50%
Midterm examination: 25%
Final examination: 25%
Readings
M 1/21
Trevor, introduction to The Oxford Book of Irish Short Stories
Seven folktales (OB, 1-18)
Edgeworth, "The Limerick Gloves"
W 1/26
Carleton, "Death of a Devotee"
Corkery, "The Priest"
M 1/28
Wilde, "The Sphinx without a Secret"
O'Kelly, "The Weaver's Grave"
W 2/2
Somerville and Ross, "Philippa's Fox Hunt"
Moore, "Albert Nobbs"
M 2/4
Joyce, "The Dead"
Bowen, "Her Table Spread"
W 2/9
O'Faolain, "The Sugawn Chair"
O'Faolain, "The Faithless Wife"
Boyle, "Pastorale"
M 2/11
O'Flaherty, "The Pedlar's Revenge"
O'Flaherty, "The Fanatic"
MacMahon, "The Ring"
W 2/16
O'Connor, "Guests of the Nation"
O'Connor, "The Majesty of the Law"
Lavin, "Sarah"
M 2/18
Plunkett, "Weep for our Pride"
Trevor, "Death in Jerusalem"
Friel, "The Diviner"
W 2/23
Montague, "An Occasion of Sin"
O' Brien, "An Irish Revel"
J. O'Faolain, "First Conjugation"
M 2/25
MacLaverty, "Life Drawing"
Hogan, "The Airedale"
Synthesis, review
W 3/2
(Midterm exam)
M 3/16 - M 3/25
Joyce, Dubliners
W 3/30 - M 4/8
McGahern, Collected Stories
W 4/13
Ni Dhuibhne, "Blood and Water"
P. McCabe, "The Butcher Boy"
Patterson, "Burning Your Own"
E. McCabe, "Cancer"
M 4/15
Mulkerns, "Memory and Desire"
Jordan, "Last Rites"
Dorcey, "The Husband"
W 4/20
Park, "Oranges from Spain"
O'Loughlin, "A Rock-'n'-Roll Death"
Mathews, "Incident on the Camino Real"
Meaney, "Counterpoints"
M 4/22 - M 4/29
Jennifer Cornell, Departures
Conferences
Although conferences are not required, I would be happy to talk with you about Ireland, the Irish short story, and your progress in the course. Please feel free to make an appointment. Should problems arise, you can reach me via e-mail at fhoward@alfred.edu or by phone at 871-2256 or 2267.
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